The United States federal government has partially shutdown despite a last-ditch funding deal approved by the US Senate. The funding lapse officially began at midnight US eastern time on Saturday, hours after senators agreed to fund most agencies until September. The bill carved out a two-week exemption for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement agencies.
The bill has yet to be approved by the US House of Representatives, which is out of session. President Donald Trump struck the deal with Democrats after they refused to give more funding for immigration enforcement following the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents.
This marks the second government shutdown in the past year and comes only 11 weeks after the conclusion of a previous funding impasse, the longest in US history. That shutdown lasted from October 1 to November 14, 2025, and significantly impacted essential government services, including air travel, leaving many federal workers unpaid.
However, this shutdown is expected to be shorter and less impactful, as the House of Representatives is scheduled to return to session on Monday. The White House has directed several agencies, including those overseeing transportation, education, and defense, to implement shutdown procedures.
According to a memo from the White House, “Employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities. It is our hope that this lapse will be short.” The President has also urged House Republicans to support the deal, while lawmakers aim to negotiate during the two-week exemption for DHS funds, with Democrats advocating for reforms to immigration enforcement laws.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need to restrict ICE activities, following backlash against the agency in light of the recent shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse, at the hands of federal agents. A civil rights investigation into the incident has already been initiated by the Justice Department.
The bill has yet to be approved by the US House of Representatives, which is out of session. President Donald Trump struck the deal with Democrats after they refused to give more funding for immigration enforcement following the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents.
This marks the second government shutdown in the past year and comes only 11 weeks after the conclusion of a previous funding impasse, the longest in US history. That shutdown lasted from October 1 to November 14, 2025, and significantly impacted essential government services, including air travel, leaving many federal workers unpaid.
However, this shutdown is expected to be shorter and less impactful, as the House of Representatives is scheduled to return to session on Monday. The White House has directed several agencies, including those overseeing transportation, education, and defense, to implement shutdown procedures.
According to a memo from the White House, “Employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities. It is our hope that this lapse will be short.” The President has also urged House Republicans to support the deal, while lawmakers aim to negotiate during the two-week exemption for DHS funds, with Democrats advocating for reforms to immigration enforcement laws.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need to restrict ICE activities, following backlash against the agency in light of the recent shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse, at the hands of federal agents. A civil rights investigation into the incident has already been initiated by the Justice Department.
